Cowboys fans have reason to panic after Micah Parsons carted off late in Week 4

The Dallas Cowboys entered Thursday Night Football in desperate need of a win. With a third consecutive loss, the Cowboys would sink into the depths of the NFC East. 

Given their recent history of success against the New York Giants, the game seemed like the perfect opportunity for Dallas to get back on track. Instead, New York put up a fight. Despite failing to score a touchdown, the Giants managed to score five field goals to keep victory within reach.

Holding onto a 20-15 lead late in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys defense was forced to do something they’ve struggled to do in recent weeks: prevent the opposing offense from scoring.

But during their attempt to not lose the game, the Cowboys may have lost something far greater.

Micah Parsons carted off the field after lower leg injury

Cowboys star linebacker Micah Parsons was carted back to the locker room after attempting to knock away a pass intended for Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.

Parsons initially went into the medical tent, but eventually emerged with his left shoe off. He was then taken to the locker room before Dallas put the finishing touches on the victory.

It was a physically challenging game for Parsons, who was also taken off the field to be evaluated for a concussion in the second quarter. The All-Pro linebacker was attempting to tackle Robinson, but he remained down on the field after colliding with teammate Eric Kendricks. The Cowboys said Parsons suffered a neck injury, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. 

The star pass rusher returned to the game after the first injury evaluation, but his second injury may be more concerning. Parsons was writhing in pain before being helped off the field by trainers, and requiring a cart to return to the locker room is never a good sign.

The 25-year-old has served as the centerpiece of the Cowboys defense ever since he was selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Parsons was named the 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned first-team All-Pro selections in his first two seasons. In 2023, he was named a second-team All-Pro.

The Cowboys have struggled to defend opposing offenses, particularly against the run. Any attempt to get back on track would likely begin with Parsons, who demands significant attention from offensive protection schemes on a weekly basis.

Parsons was moving around the team’s locker room with a slight limp after the game, but he told a teammate that he would be fine, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported.

Through the first three games of this season, Parsons compiled one sack, 12 tackles, one tackle for loss and six quarterback hits.